Rock Out For A Cause With Big Shot
/By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
Billy Joel cover band Big Shot, led by singer Mike DelGuidice, will take the stage at The Paramount in Huntington on May 18 for a concert to benefit the American Heart Association. (Photo/Facebook/Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot)
One of Long Island’s most coveted cover bands will be returning to the stage at The Paramount in Huntington later this month, and this time it will be for a cause.
Billy Joel sound-alike Mike DelGuidice and his band Big Shot will donate $3 to the American Heart Association’s Life is Why We Give campaign from each ticket sold to the concert. The money will go toward the association’s continued research, life-saving technology and mission to build healthier communities.
DelGuidice, 47, of Miller Place, has impressed audiences across the country with his spot-on renditions of Joel’s greatest hits that made even made Joel himself take notice.
He formed the Billy Joel cover band Big Shot in 2000, and the band has been popular since its first gig in Port Jefferson.
In 2011, DelGuidice took the band to a new level when he added two members of Joel’s actual touring band to Big Shot’s line-up. Joel’s lead guitarist Tommy Byrnes and drummer Chuck Burgi joined bassist Nick Dimichino, keyboardist Carmine Giglio and saxophonist John Scarpulla, and gave the cover band a sense of legitimacy.
In October 2013, Joel came to The Paramount to hear DelGuidice sing and was later quoted in the New York Times as saying “they had a hard time convincing me it wasn’t me.”
After the show, Joel personally hired DelGuidice to join his band, and he continues to tour with the Billy Joel Band playing rhythm guitar and singing vocals.
Big Shot’s live shows at The Paramount always have a buzz of excitement following a performance in June 2016 when Joel made a live guest appearance with the band on stage, much to the delight of the Huntington audience.
In addition to his work with the Billy Joel Band and Big Shot, DelGuidice is also featured in the theme song for Kevin James’ newest sitcom “Kevin Can Wait.”
Big Shot’s show benefiting the American Heart Association is scheduled for Friday, May 18. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $23-$53 and can be purchased at the box office or online at Paramountny.com.
